Deccan Odyssey Jewels of the Deccan

Deccan Odyssey is a blistering unit of the Indian Railways to take you through some of the most precious jewels of India. The true beauty of real India can be explored among this beautiful tour of the Deccan Odyssey train. Including some of the major tourist destinations. Starts with the visit to some of the historic monuments of Bijapur, also the beautiful, attractive holy shrines of Aihole and Pattadakal. Most gorgeous sightseeing at Badami. Some of the magnificent handicraft shopping in Hyderabad and also visit the architectural creations of Hampi. Also, includes a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Ajanta Caves and the Ellora Caves. Outreach the India’s most frolic culture, traditions and the mighty Indian History via the Royal Journey of the Deccan Odyssey. Welcome onboard to the amazing Deccan Odyssey.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 : Mumbai

By evening 15:30 hours, guests are expected to arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus as the Deccan Odyssey awaits for the departure. The guests are requested to conclude first with all the registration and check-in formalities. Followed by a grand royal and traditional welcome by the Deccan Odyssey staff which also includes a refreshing drink. Later, you will be assigned your respective cabins. Guests are then requested to settle down and relax as the Deccan Odyssey will be all set to leave for Bijapur in Karnataka. An authentic dinner will be served and overnight stay at the Deccan Odyssey.

Day 2 :Bijapur

A bright morning with a delicious breakfast awaits you as the Deccan Odyssey enters the beautiful city of Bijapur. Bijapur is one of the most popular cities of Karnataka which was established by Kalyani Chalukyas between the 10th and the 11th century. It is also known as the historic capital of Sultans of Deccan. The city of Bijapur was well known as one of the renowned cities of India even describing facts and figures of the mighty Indian History which has a large support with the Adil Shah dynasty. Bijapur was also famous for some of the most outstanding efforts of scholars, poets, painters, dancers, calligraphers, musicians and Sufi saints. The city of Bijapur was also known as the ‘Palmyra of the Deccan’.

The first destination to be covered is the Gol Gumbaz. Gol Gumbaz is a mausoleum built by Mohammed Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur. It is considered to be the second largest tomb in the world. The Gol Gumbaz consists of one of the biggest single chamber spaces in the world. It is also designed with a ‘whispering gallery’ where even the softest sounds can be heard on the other side of the tomb regarding the decibels of the space. The next is a visit to the Jama Masjid, one of the oldest mosques of India and is the largest in southern India. It was built by Ali Adil Shah in the year 1578. The Jama Masjid Tomb is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture.

A visit to the Bijapur Fort which is located in Bijapur city itself. The historical fort is as famous as the palaces, mosques, tombs, and gardens which were built by Adil Shah is with their most amazing interest over architecture in Persian, Ottoman Turkish and allied arts. Also, visit the Malikah–E-Jahan mosque. After a long historic day tour, get back to the Deccan Odyssey train where lunch will be provided. You will also enjoy the mouth-watering food with the most exquisite view of the passing landscape. The luxurious Deccan Odyssey will further head towards Aihole and Pattadakal by late evening. Dinner onboard will be served and stay overnight will also be arranged.

Day 3 :Aihole & Pattadkal

After breakfast, Deccan Odyssey will take you to visit the holy shrines and architectural attractions of Aihole and Pattadakal by the morning of the third day. The main attractions are some of the most beautiful temples built by the Chalukyan Kings. In Pattadakal, you can find South Indian and North Indian architectural styles such as the Kadsiddheshwar temple ( which is a small temple built in the seventh century, the temples have got mandapas and also sculptures of Shiva and Parvati are visually displayed), the Galaganatha temple (this temple is built in northern Rekha-nagara style and the sanctum of the temple contains a linga and a vestibule usually indicating the Hindu culture and tradition), the Chandrashekhara temple ( which has got a Shiva linga and also a closed hall, the doorframes of the temples are carved with shakhas).

Return back to the train and have a relish lunch onboard.

After lunch, you can also experience some of the exciting temple art and architecture and some of the major stone art in temples such as the Sangameshwara Temple, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Mallikarjuna Temple, the Virupaksha Temple, the Papanatha Temple and the Jain Narayana Temple. There are also famous Kannada language inscriptions at Pattadkal. Some of them consisting as monolithic stone pillar inscriptions on the Naganatha Temple and inscriptions in the Mahakuteshwara Temple. Shiva shrines are also found here depicting the importance of Hindu rituals.

Aihole also consists of many beautiful monuments which are also located in Karnataka. The Aihole sites preserve some of the oldest Jain and Buddhist monuments and importantly 120 Hindu monuments dated back from the 4th to 12th century. Some of the major Hindu monuments located in Aihole are the Durga Temple, the Ravana Phadi cave, Hucchappayya matha, the Hucchappayya gudi, the Ambigergudi temples, the Jyotirlinga temples, the Mallikarjuna temples, the Ramalinga temples, the Veniya shrines, the Galaganatha temples, the Maddin temples and the Triyambakeswara temples.

You can opt out to visit all such temples for a short duration or you can go ahead for a short trip to an amazing weaving village of Guledgudda. You can also learn the weaving process in the village. You can also move out to Badami to enjoy sightseeing and to explore the beautiful sculptured temples and the rock-cut caves. Followed by the dinner and night stay onboard Deccan Odyssey. By late evening the train moves to a new journey to Hampi.

Day 4 :Hampi

By morning you will be reaching Hampi, which is one of the most well known World Heritage Site. Turn out for breakfast and get ready to explore some of the most amazing creations of ancient monuments and structures. The first visit is the most important attraction of Hampi, the Lakshmi Narasimha statue which is considered to be one of the most delicate structures which were found in the ruined town of Hampi. It is the largest monolith statue in Hampi. The statue of Lakshmi Narasimha is located on the southern side of the Hemakuta hill.

Hampi is located on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River, so you can also get a view of the mighty river. You can also visit some of the temples such as the Virupaksha Temple which is the oldest shrine and is one of the major destinations for pilgrimage and tourists. It is also considered to be one of the most active Hindu sites in Hampi. The Krishna Temple which is also termed as the Balakrishna temple, located south of the Virupaksha Temple is also an important Hindu temple. You can also eye the Vitthala temple which is one of the most sophisticated with art and architectural forms of temples in Hampi. There are also some remains of inscriptions in this temple.

With an end arriving for exploring Hampi, you would need to get back to the Hospet Station for lunch onboard the Deccan odyssey.

After lunch, If you have the craze for monuments and ancient structures, you can also take charge to visit the Hemakuta hill monuments, the Hazara Rama Temple, the Kodandarama temple and the riverside monuments, the Pattabhirma temple. The Water infrastructure of Hampi is also an important architectural form which is also known as the Queen’s Bath. The water infrastructure consists of a pavilion, a water basin and a generous method to bring fresh water to it and exclude wash water and overflows. Hampi is also famous for Fountains and Community Kitchen which usually describes some of the temples which have inbuilt kitchen and feeding halls. Hampi is also famous for its Lotus Mahal and the Elephant Stables.

Deccan Odyssey will provide you an amazing cuisine for dinner and overnight stay on board. By late evening Deccan Odyssey roles out for Hyderabad.

Day 5 :Hyderabad

Day five arrives and the Deccan Odyssey reaches Hyderabad, welcomes you to the Royal City of Nizams. After having breakfast, you can move out to visit Golconda, which is a citadel and also a fort situated 11 km west of Hyderabad. You can visit the Charminar which is a monument and a mosque built in 1591 and is located in Hyderabad. It is listed as a global icon of Hyderabad. The Ramoji Film City located in Hyderabad which is spread across 2000 acres and is considered to be the largest integrated film city in Telangana and also well known as the largest studio complex in the world.

The Chowmahalla is a palace of the Nizams of Hyderabad. It was considered a royal seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and also the official residence or the royal home of the Nizams of Hyderabad. The amazing fact about the Chowmahalla Palace is the clock above the main gate which is also known as the Khilwat Clock. You can also visit the Sudha cars museum which is also famous as the first handmade Wacky Car museum in the World which also comes under the Guinness World Record. The Nizam Museum which is also well known for souvenirs and mementos as Nizam gifts which are located at Purani Haveli.

You can come back for lunch at the luxury train and then explore some of the most colorful bazaars of Hyderabad where you can discover some small little goods such as pearls, bangles, and ittars. Hyderabad is also famous for its Hyderabadi Biryani which you can taste around some of the famous restaurants in the market areas. You can also explore the Falaknuma Palace followed by traditional tea. The Deccan Odyssey leaves for Aurangabad by late evening. Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Day 6 : Aurangabad – Ellora Caves

Deccan Odyssey arrives at Aurangabad by morning. The city of Aurangabad is named after the last Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb. You will find Mughal Influence of art and architecture in most corners of the city. Aurangabad is also famous for its UNESCO Heritage site, the Ellora Caves. The Ellora caves are considered to have some of the finest cave temple architecture in India. The site of the Ellora caves also includes 34 rock-cut caves which also depicts Hindu and Buddhist art dated back to the 4th and the 5th century AD.

Start your day with an onboard breakfast and then proceeds to the Ellora Caves. There are 12 Buddhist caves to the south, consisting of 17 Hindu caves located in the center and 5 Jain caves to the north. The major attraction of the Ellora Caves is the Kailash Temple. The Kailash Temple is believed to be a replica of Lord Shiva’s celestial form on the Mount Kailash. Deccan Odyssey awaits you for the lunch after the amusing visit to the Ellora caves. You can also view the extreme beauty of the landscape of Maharashtra and its surroundings. You can enjoy the evening with the luxurious retreat at the Deccan Odyssey. You will be served with your favorite cocktail and an authentic dinner. Take rest and overnight stay at Deccan Odyssey as the Deccan Odyssey leaves for Jalgaon.

Day 7 : Ajanta Caves

By morning you will be arriving at the Jalgaon station and after a delicious breakfast, you can move out for the visit to the Ajanta Caves. The Ajanta Caves is also considered to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ajanta caves include 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves which are depicted in an amazing pattern. It also consists of sculptures and paintings of Buddhist religious art. Lunch will be provided at the train. After lunch, you can visit the famous Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, who was also named as Bapu and the most important leaders of the country. He was one such leader who followed the path of Ahimsa and also marks his presence in the Indian Rupee Notes. You can enjoy a sundowner in the evening and Dinner onboard as the Deccan Odyssey wheels up for the last stoppage, Mumbai. Overnight stay on the Deccan Odyssey.

Day 8 :Mumbai (Departure)

By early morning the Deccan Odyssey arrives at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai. You will need to have your breakfast and bid goodbye to a memorable Deccan Odyssey luxurious journey.